Two Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti have sustained serious injuries in recent clashes with armed gangs, according to a Reuters report citing three officers familiar with the situation.
The injuries add to growing concerns about the safety and security of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which continues to face frequent attacks.
Kenya, which first deployed officers in June 2024, currently provides about three-quarters of the MSS force, totaling around 1,000 personnel. The mission’s primary goal is to restore stability in Haiti, allowing the country to hold elections by February 2026.
However, the operation has been plagued by morale issues, safety concerns, and uncertainty over its expansion amid escalating gang violence.
In February, the mission suffered its first fatality, and last week, another Kenyan officer was reported missing and is now presumed dead, according to the three officers cited in the Reuters report.
The latest injuries occurred during routine patrols in Port-au-Prince, where criminal groups maintain significant control. One officer was shot in the head when a bullet penetrated his helmet, while the other was wounded in the ear after a bullet went through the walls of an armored vehicle.
MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka confirmed that the two injured officers had been evacuated to the Dominican Republic for medical treatment.
“As in any mission, casualties are sometimes unavoidable,” Ombaka state
Equipment Concerns Raised Amid Frequent Attacks
The officers expressed frustration over what they described as inadequate protective equipment, particularly armored vehicles that failed to stop bullets. According to the sources, twenty armored vehicles were grounded over the weekend after officers refused to use them, citing safety concerns.
This marks the second instance where armored vehicles have failed to provide sufficient protection against gunfire, they claimed. A delegation from the MSS is expected to visit Washington this week to raise concerns with U.S. officials regarding the quality of equipment, two senior MSS officers told Reuters.
The United States has been the primary contributor of funding and equipment for the mission, though efforts to secure additional support from other countries have seen limited success.
Kenya’s government has maintained that its deployment to Haiti is a humanitarian effort. However, analysts suggest that the intervention is also driven by the desire to enhance Kenya’s global standing and strengthen diplomatic ties with the U.S.
Responding to concerns over equipment quality, Ombaka noted:
“MSS continues to receive increased logistical support from partners and stakeholders, with assurances that all equipment meets international standards.”
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.